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Lord of Tears

Set in the remote highlands of Scotland, and inspired by the unsettling and bleak tales of H. P. Lovecraft and the creepy Slender Man mythology, Lord of Tears is a forthcoming gothic chiller that, if these striking images are anything to go by, should prove to be an immensely atmospheric and nightmarish yarn indeed. Written by Sarah Daly, it tells of James Findlay, a teacher tormented by childhood memories of a strange and unsettling entity – an owl-headed figure dressed in Victorian attire and sporting elongated limbs and sharp talons. After the death of his mother, the nightmares return and with them, a familiar, watching presence. As James faces a descent into madness, his only hope to fight his tormentor, to banish the evil that haunts him, is to return to his childhood home. He travels to the lonely mansion in the Scottish Highlands, a place notorious for its tragic and disturbing history. There, he must uncover, once and for all, the chilling truth behind the immortal stalker…

Director Lawrie Brewster claims the idea for Lord of Tears stemmed from his deep interest in the dark mythologies of ancient civilisations, old gods and legendary monsters, and classic ghost stories. "I'm passionate about telling uncanny tales that bring new nightmares to audiences. I want to create alternate realities filled with mystery, terror and suspense - fusing the ancient and modern, preying on our most instinctual fears with threats and twists we cannot foresee."
While researching the Pagan folklore of the Scottish Highlands, the director discovered accounts of a terrifying stalker. "It reminded me of the chilling Slender Man and the old ones oft referred to in the short stories of H.P. Lovecraft."

Visiting the alleged haunt of this legendary creature, an isolated mansion tucked away from view in the desolate wilds and ancient woods of the highlands, Brewster knew he had found the perfect location where he could "bring to life something secret and ancient."

Brewster cites films such as The Shining, The Wicker Man, The Haunting and The Innocents, as well as aspects of J-Horror, as being particularly influential on his dark tale of ancient rites and pagan horrors. "There are literary influences too" he says, "from the Cthulu mythos of H.P. Lovecraft, to the gothic romance of Wuthering Heights, and the short stories of Henry James and Edgar Allan Poe, along with modern writers such as Clive Barker."

For those who say horror cinema has nothing new to offer, I would suggest keeping an eye out for this film, the director of which claims he is "committed to making serious, alternative horror films that aim to
tell genuine, emotionally-driven stories with intriguing characters set
against backgrounds filled with mysterious lore and mythology." To get you in the mood, why not go here and listen to the haunting theme music.

Now draw the curtains, dim the lights (and, if you're like me, top up your glass) and hold your breath; for the Owl Man cometh…

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James is the author of 'Dario Argento' (Kamera Books) and 'The Company of Wolves' (Devil’s Advocates). He contributes to Exquisite Terror and Diabolique, and has also written for Paracinema, Film Ireland, Eye for Film, Little White Lies and The Quietus.